May 24, 2019, 11:11 am
Last edit by: moondog
If you want to use sites like Google, FB, and Twitter in China, you need a means to bypass government imposed blocks.
Roaming on your home country's network works like a charm, but this can be slow and/or expensive.
Most of us use VPNs or Shadowsocks (the latter requires a bit more legwork because you need to find, and pay for, a good server on your own you want good results).
While this topic is not illegal, we have definitely noticed that over plugging solutions that work well often results in diminished performance (because this makes them targets).
As such, my hope is that we can refrain from using buzzwords or complete company names in this thread. By way of example, "E" is impossible to catch via search, while the company name is easy.
Roaming on your home country's network works like a charm, but this can be slow and/or expensive.
Most of us use VPNs or Shadowsocks (the latter requires a bit more legwork because you need to find, and pay for, a good server on your own you want good results).
While this topic is not illegal, we have definitely noticed that over plugging solutions that work well often results in diminished performance (because this makes them targets).
As such, my hope is that we can refrain from using buzzwords or complete company names in this thread. By way of example, "E" is impossible to catch via search, while the company name is easy.
Best and Fast VPN for China ?
Dec 17, 2018, 1:47 am
#61
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MAD/LAX/MNL/PIT
Programs: DL DM, PR, TG, UA, CX (Asia Miles), BT, AY, AA
Posts: 906
This hasn't been asked yet but I might as well: which VPN works best with MU's in-flight Wi-Fi?
I'm planning several long-hauls on MU and it would be great if I can get some work done on the plane, which would save me from having to use my vacation days. Unfortunately, the nature of my work (I work for a website which the GFW blocks) requires me to use a VPN while in China, and while I'm fine using mobile data roaming, an option for me to work in-air would be really helpful.
I'm planning several long-hauls on MU and it would be great if I can get some work done on the plane, which would save me from having to use my vacation days. Unfortunately, the nature of my work (I work for a website which the GFW blocks) requires me to use a VPN while in China, and while I'm fine using mobile data roaming, an option for me to work in-air would be really helpful.
Dec 24, 2018, 5:56 am
#62
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: Virtuoso TA, UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 445
I have ExpressVPN, it was good in China, but in the US for daily use now not so good. Call using the phone app on a Mac doesn't work, certain streaming video websites (Amazon Prime videos, Hulu, etc) don't work, worst of all, whenever you Google search something, you almost always have to check the "not a robot" box and sometimes have to take one of those picture tests.
Dec 24, 2018, 7:50 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
VPNs always involve some risk and uncertainty in China. If your job absolutely depends on access to a blocked site, then consider playing safe and avoiding Mainland China.
Remember that experience with a given VPN in China can vary depending on where you are in the country and whether you're using public Wifi, your hotel's system, a wired connection at home, phone data, etc.
Remember that experience with a given VPN in China can vary depending on where you are in the country and whether you're using public Wifi, your hotel's system, a wired connection at home, phone data, etc.
Dec 24, 2018, 12:04 pm
#64
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,675
VPNs always involve some risk and uncertainty in China. If your job absolutely depends on access to a blocked site, then consider playing safe and avoiding Mainland China.
Remember that experience with a given VPN in China can vary depending on where you are in the country and whether you're using public Wifi, your hotel's system, a wired connection at home, phone data, etc.
Remember that experience with a given VPN in China can vary depending on where you are in the country and whether you're using public Wifi, your hotel's system, a wired connection at home, phone data, etc.
Dec 24, 2018, 12:47 pm
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Something I told my wife, that she in turn told her cousin (who was only using 1 VPN as far as we know): Planes aren't allowed to fly TPAC with only 1 engine. The reason is that a single engine failure means you go in the water. If you are crossing the Pacific, you use 2 or more engines, and even a plane with 2 engines requires a special maintenance schedule and on board equipment and crew training (ETOPS). Just as you wouldn't fly across the Pacific on 1 engine, don't go to China with just 1 VPN. Always have a backup in case your primary VPN fails. Ideally, just as with ETOPS, have 3 or more VPNs unless you have a super reliable VPN (a foreign SIM card with a active international roaming and a data plan counts as a super reliable VPN).
Dec 24, 2018, 1:02 pm
#66
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,675
Shadowsocks was what failed me last time. Went down for 3 days when my server was IP banned. I rotated through my other 3 backup VPNs.
Dec 24, 2018, 2:39 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
I have ExpressVPN, it was good in China, but in the US for daily use now not so good. Call using the phone app on a Mac doesn't work, certain streaming video websites (Amazon Prime videos, Hulu, etc) don't work, worst of all, whenever you Google search something, you almost always have to check the "not a robot" box and sometimes have to take one of those picture tests.
The first is because Google (and many other sites) see an awful lot of traffic from your IP and think something's evil and the latter is because VPNs are often used to avoid region restrictions.
The only way around this is something that doesn't make you share your IP. I think Shadowsocks does this but I have never tried it.
Mar 5, 2019, 9:13 am
#70
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MAD/LAX/MNL/PIT
Programs: DL DM, PR, TG, UA, CX (Asia Miles), BT, AY, AA
Posts: 906
I'm passing through PVG on the way to DEL on Friday, so hopefully it works then as well.
Mar 5, 2019, 11:29 am
#71
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 131
ExpressVPN worked well for me in September in Shanghai and other cities using a China Unicom SIM. No problems at all with ExpressVPN, although I did have some challenges getting English support for an issue with China Unicom.
AT&T roaming also worked for one of my travel companions @ $10/day. He also used ExpressVPN but I'm not sure he needed it with a foreign SIM.
AT&T roaming also worked for one of my travel companions @ $10/day. He also used ExpressVPN but I'm not sure he needed it with a foreign SIM.
Mar 5, 2019, 11:53 am
#72
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Doesn't work now. Nothing works now. Probably ok in a couple of weeks.
Mar 5, 2019, 4:59 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I switched to SS yesterday, and it works like a charm. That having been said, I will go back to exp as soon as they get their ship back in order. Apart from my general fondness of their support staff, SS requires quite a bit more tech savvy when it goes down. My recent chat sessions with exp have been pretty useless (not really their fault; they simply don't have any solid solutions), and they are swamped, so I plan on giving them a week to sort things out before messaging them again.